News

Fort Langley, BC

"The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others."
- Ghandi

On July 22, 2012 more than one thousand cyclists will find their way to the finish line of the Prospera Valley GranFondo with the help of over 400 community volunteers. The Prospera Valley GranFondo is a mass participation road cycling event that will take riders through the communities of Langley and Abbotsford on a fully supported, traffic controlled route with half the net proceeds going to support Special Olympics BC.

“Volunteers bring so much to our event”, says Jo-Ann Naughty, Volunteer Coordinator, Canadian Velo Event Management Society, the presenters of the Prospera Valley GranFondo. “With their time, energy and commitment, we will succeed in delivering a world class event that our community can be proud of for many years to come!”

The Prospera Valley GranFondo has already attracted a diverse group of volunteers who see the event as an opportunity to give back to their community. Read more...

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Fort Langley, BC



On July 22, 2012, the scenic roadways of British Columbia’s Fraser Valley will host 1,500 road cyclists with all levels of ability at the inaugural Prospera Valley GranFondo. Professional cyclist Christian Meier, who calls Langley, BC home, is an official Pro Ride Ambassador for the Prospera Valley GranFondo and is very familiar with the scenic and challenging terrain of the 160 kilometer cycling route. “I've trained on these roads in the Fraser Valley for years and this route has it all,” says Meier.

Now riding for the new Australian World Tour Team GreenEDGE, Meier spent 2011 with UnitedHealthcare and has previously ridden for Garmin-Transitions at the ProTour level. This season the 26-year-old returns to the sport’s highest level. “I’m very excited about the prospect of returning to the World Tour and being part of such an ambitious project,” he said. “I’ll be able to learn plenty from these guys and continue to develop as a rider.”

As part of Team GreenEDGE, Christian Meier will race in the century old, international cycling classic, Giro d’Italia, a 3,476 km long stage race that takes place in Italy from May 5 to 27, 2012. The Giro is one of the three Grand Tours of cycling, the other two being the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España. Throughout this year’s racing calendar, you can follow Christian Meier on Twitter @christianmeier and updates will also be posted at www.ValleyGranFondo.com.

Canadian Velo Event Management Society is thrilled to welcome Prospera Credit Union as the title sponsor of the 2012 Prospera Valley GranFondo and half of the net proceeds from the event will benefit Special Olympics BC. To register for the ride, visit www.ValleyGranFondo.com

-- CVEMS --

Media queries:

Canadian Velo Event Management Society

George Lacny 604.617.4768 george@canadianveloevents.com

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We are excited to announce the Thule Hill Climb Challenge! This 3km timed hill climb up Sumas Mountain in Abbotsford will motivate you to climb a little harder. When you cross the finish line back in Fort Langley not only will you know your overall time, you will see your time on the hill climb segment too. Motivating you to climb harder than you ever have will be cheering onlookers and thousands of dollars in prizes from our newest sponsor, Thule for the top three men and top three women on the hill climb. You don't become a better climber looking at the hills!

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Our very own Bruce Dayton - Community Liason Manager for the Prospera Valley GranFondo - hit the airwaves with Grant Sigaty from Country107.1/Star98.3. Bruce gives a great overview of The Prospera Valley GranFondo, MedioFondo and Sylvan FamilyFondo.

To Listen - CLICK HERE

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Meet our Sponsor: Red Racer Beer

If you have been cycling for any length of time you know that beer and cycling go together like peanut butter and chocolate. We’re proud to have Red Racer Beer as an event sponsor. Red Racer Beer has eight varieties of award winning beer to choose from. Red Racer Beer is available in your local liquor store and Central City Brewing in Surrey. See http://www.redracerbeer.com

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The inspirational stats are in for the 24 Hour Spin 4 Special Olympics:

_ Eight cyclists rode for 24 HOURS (taking 5 minute breaks every hour) from NOON March 31 to NOON April 1st.

_ In that time they experienced rain, sleet and snow and a great showing of support from our community.

_ All 8 cyclists completed this extraordinary feat of endurance and rode almost 3,500 kms - this would be like riding from Langley, BC to Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.

_ A total of $1,358 was raised by donations on site at Wendel's over the 24 hour period.

_ The riders were: Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, Leigh McMartin, Katie Fitzmaurice, Nicole Law, Blair Charron, Clint Ruck, Dave Edmiston and Dave Bickell

Our thanks go to Diane Morrison and her team at Wendel's for helping power the riders through this experience and for those in our community who supported us through encouragement and cash donations to Special Olympics BC!

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4,800 KILOMETRES, 460,800 CALORIES, 1,036,800 REVOLUTIONS — EIGHT RIDERS ARE READY TO SPIN FOR SPECIAL OLYMPICS

Read more...

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Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, the fearless leader of the Prospera Valley GranFondo was recently interviewed by CCN. Here's an excerpt:

As part of our continuing series of getting the event organizers perspective on events, CCN interviewed Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, General Manager of the Prospera Valley Credit Union.

Can you tell us a little about Prospera Valley GranFondo and how it came about?

The Prospera Valley GranFondo began where most brilliant ideas tend to...on a great bike ride! In the spring of 2011 a group of like-minded riders from the Fraser Valley Road Cycling club came to the conclusion that there was a need to showcase what we knew to be the best cycling territory in Canada; the Fraser Valley of BC. The idea was to create Canadian Velo Event Management Society, a not-for-profit organization that would develop world-class cycling events, creating legacies in the communities in which we live and work and share the success with charities that make a difference. The outcome was The Prospera Valley GranFondo, coming July 22, 2012.

READ MORE...

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Thursday, March 22, 2012
Fort Langley, BC

As participants cross the finish line of the inaugural Prospera Valley GranFondo on July 22, 2012 in Fort Langley BC, they will each receive a very significant memento to celebrate their accomplishment. The unique Finishers Medal will feature artwork created by a Kwantlen First Nation artist specifically for this event. The design was selected through a contest presented by the Prospera Valley GranFondo and the people of the Kwantlen First Nation. The goal was to combine First Nations artwork with the theme of cycling.

The winning design was created by artist Phyllis Atkins who received a $1,000 award from Canadian Velo Event Management Society, presenters of the Prospera Valley GranFondo.

“Before creating this piece I first thought about what it would mean to have true passion to be a cyclist, and that cycling is more than just riding a bike,”
explains winning artist Phyllis Atkins. “It’s like flying, but without wings. So, that is why I chose the Eagle to represent the cyclists riding free in the wind…”

“This design will be a wonderful representation of the accomplishment that our riders will feel as they cross the finish line. We congratulate and thank all the artists of the Kwantlen First Nation who submitted their artwork,” says Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, General Manager, Canadian Velo Event Management
Society.

Canadian Velo Events is pleased to welcome Prospera Credit Union as the title sponsor of the 2012 Prospera Valley GranFondo, an amazing 160 kilometre ride featuring quiet country roadways, scenic farmland, historic river valleys and a challenging mountain summit. The post-ride festivities will include an authentic First Nations feast on the grounds of the Fort Langley National Historic Site. Half of the net proceeds from the 2012 Prospera Valley GranFondo will benefit Special Olympics BC.

-- CVEMS --
Media queries:
Canadian Velo Event Management Society
George Lacny
604.617.4768
george@canadianveloevents.com

www.CanadianVeloEvents.com www.ValleyGranFondo.com

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Four months from now, 1500 cyclists will depart Fort Langley, BC for the start of the inaugural Prospera Valley GranFondo, an amazing ride featuring quiet country roadways, scenic farmland, historic river valleys and a challenging mountain summit.

Event organizers Canadian Velo Event Management Society are pleased to announce today that after extensive consultation with local governments, Ministry of Transportation officials, RCMP, Abbotsford Police Department and traffic management planners, the official routes for both the 160 kilometre GranFondo and 80 kilometre MedioFondo have been finalized.

“The Prospera Valley GranFondo and MedioFondo routes have been carefully planned to give our participants the best cycling experience possible through what is definitely the heart of Canadian road cycling territory,” said Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, General Manager, Canadian Velo Event Management Society.

On each route cyclists will have access to multiple aid stations stocked with water, sports drinks, sports suppliments, fruit, and sweet and salty snacks. Along the routes and at each aid station there will be medical and mechanical support to ensure all participants have a safe and supported ride. To keep everyone motivated, numerous cycle ambassadors will be riding alongside the participants lending a hand when needed.

For full GranFondo and MedioFondo route maps - CLICK HERE

Canadian Velo Events is pleased to welcome Prospera Credit Union as the title sponsor of the 2012 Prospera Valley GranFondo. Half of the net proceeds from the 2012 Prospera Valley GranFondo will benefit Special Olympics BC.

-- CVEMS --

Media queries:
Canadian Velo Event Management Society
George Lacny
604.617.4768
george@canadianveloevents.com

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Meet the Prospera Valley GranFondo Travel Partners WestJet and Sandman Signature

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Be the first to know about prizes and all kinds of exciting news surrounding the Prospera Valley GranFondo and sign up for our email newsletter! See http://www.valleygranfondo.com/signup-page

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The inaugural Prospera Valley GranFondo will take place on July 22, 2012 in the scenic Fraser Valley of British Columbia and is certain to become one of Canada’s premier GranFondo cycling events. As participants cross the finish line in Fort Langley, they will receive a Finisher’s Medal showcasing a unique First Nations’ design.

“We are pleased to recognize the artists of Kwantlen First Nation and are honoured to have their artistry symbolize the accomplishment of our riders” says Jeffrey Hansen-Carlson, General Manager, Canadian Velo Event Management Society.

The Finisher’s Medal art contest is presented by the Prospera Valley GranFondo and the people of the Kwantlen First Nation. The goal is to combine First Nations artwork with the theme of cycling. The winning artist will receive a $1000 award from Canadian Velo Event Management Society, presenters of the Prospera Valley GranFondo. Read more...

Download Media Release

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The inaugural Prospera Valley GranFondo will take place on July 22, 2012, in the scenic Fraser Valley of British Columbia and is certain to become one of Canada’s premier GranFondo cycling events. Riders still have time to take advantage of a special “early bird” registration fee, but only until midnight January 27th.

The 2012 Prospera Valley GranFondo offers road cyclists an amazing 160 kilometre ride featuring quiet country roadways, scenic farmland, historic river valleys and a challenging mountain summit. The post-ride festivities will include an authentic First Nation’s feast on the grounds of the Fort Langley National Historic Site.

Those wanting to experience the traffic controlled and supported route, but who would prefer a more novice challenge can register for the shorter 80 kilometre MedioFondo. Parents and children can participate in the three kilometre FamilyFondo. The Vancouver Area Cycling Coalition will be offering a cycling safety workshop for FamilyFondo participants following the ride.

Canadian Velo Events is thrilled to welcome Prospera Credit Union as the title sponsor of this event. Half of the net proceeds from the 2012 Prospera Valley GranFondo will benefit Special Olympics BC.

Article from CanadianCyclist.com

Download Media Release

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Here’s a quick look at the amazing roads and scenery that 1500 cyclists will experience riding the Prospera Valley GranFondo on July 22nd 2012. Be sure to take advantage of the Early Bird Pricing and reserve your spot now!!!

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Langley Times - GranFondo cycling event expected to draw 1,500 riders. Read more...

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Thanks Shaw TV!

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Fort Langley will be the starting line of a mass cycling event for all ages next summer

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